Have you ever wanted to stay overnight in a castle?

Langley Castle is a medieval castle hotel located in Northumberland, England. First built in 1350 during the reign of Edward III, it has changed hands a number of times down the centuries and is now a luxury hotel offering guests the chance to stay overnight in a genuine medieval castle.

The hotel does an excellent job of preserving the history and ambience of the castle, staying true to its roots but also offering the luxurious touches and modern conveniences you would expect from a 4 star hotel.

We recently stayed overnight in Langley Castle with our family as part of a month-long road trip around England. Here’s my full review of our stay.

The Rooms

There are 9 rooms in the castle itself, including 5 feature rooms. These castle rooms are all individual with a huge amount of character and interesting features. We stayed in feature room number 8 “The Greenwich Room“.

There are also 19 further Castle View Rooms in the more modern hotel block in the castle grounds, converted from the former stables. These rooms are slightly cheaper than the main castle rooms and they are not far away from the main castle building.

But if you want the real deal experience of staying in a castle and you’re ok to spend a little more money I would go for a feature room in the castle itself.

For current room pricing have a look here.

Good to know: The rooms inside the castle can be up a few flights of stairs so keep this in mind. There’s no public lift but the staff have access to a service lift that they can use to transport your luggage to your room, so do take advantage of this when offered.

Room Number 8: The Greenwich Room

We stayed in room number 8 of the main castle building. This is a feature room called The Greenwich Room. The room has a magnificent four poster bed, large window seat, separate dressing room and very spacious and luxurious bathroom with separate bath and walk-in rain shower. Located on the third floor you will be walking up and down the stairs a lot. This room is great for families, with a sofa bed for the kids to sleep on.

Dining

You have a couple of options for eating and drinking during your stay.

The Drawing Room

Located upstairs on the first floor is the Drawing Room. This is a stunningly beautiful room with original stone walls, tapestries on display, thrones to sit on, stained glass windows and a fire to keep you warm in the winter. The Drawing Room offers casual and relaxed dining on the armchairs and sofas. The menu includes light all-day meals plus evening dining and don’t forget afternoon tea!

The Josephine Restaurant

For a more formal dining experience book a table at the Josephine Restaurant. This is a delightfully grand room with a lot of character. Enjoy elevated fine dining for your evening meal, and breakfast will also be served in this restaurant.

During our overnight stay in the castle we had a relaxed dinner in the Drawing Room and breakfast the next morning in the Josephine Restaurant. The food was good and the ambience top notch. The service was perhaps a little slow in the main restaurant and eating dinner on an armchair in the Drawing Room was a little awkward.

Exploring The Castle

Take some time to explore the castle. It’s not everyday you get such intimate access to a 14th century castle that happens to be your home for the night. The entrance hall has a suit of armor, the impressive main staircase has garderobes in the wall; and speaking of walls, these are the original 7 feet thick stone walls, built to protect the castle from invaders.

The Castle Grounds

The castle grounds are also worth exploring. You’ll want to spend some time outside just staring at the castle from every angle, marvelling at the imposing beauty of this picture-perfect castle. Also in the grounds there is a small woodland area which hides a secret clearing used for weddings. You might see peacocks wandering around, and the kids were absolutely thrilled when we found a family of cats living under a tree near the castle.

The Castle Tour

Don’t miss the daily Battlements Tour held every morning after breakfast. You’ll learn more about the rich 600 year history of the castle and get taken up to the roof to see the battlements. On a clear day you can see Hadrian’s Wall in the distance. Don’t miss this free tour, it’s fascinating to learn about the history of the castle and a perfect way to end your stay before heading home.

Langley Castle For Families

Langley Castle Hotel is very welcoming for families. Children are welcome in the dining room and all other areas of the castle. They’ll love exploring the grounds, trying out the stocks and playing in the secret woods. Opt to stay in a larger feature room with a sofa bed and you’ll have plenty of room for the family. Alternatively some of the Castle View Rooms are large enough to accommodate families.

Is Langley Castle Dog-Friendly?

Amazingly, Langley Castle is very dog-friendly! If you’re coming with your pup, you’ll be able to stay in select Castle View Rooms and can still enjoy the Drawing Room and Battlements Tour.

If you’re interested in dog-friendly accommodation check out some other places I have stayed with my dog here.

Around Langley Castle

You are surrounded by beautiful English countryside and have Hadrian’s Wall on your doorstep. Don’t miss Housesteads and Vindolanda on the wall, and Lanercost Priory for a 12th century monastery and the best tea room in England.

Getting Here

Langley Castle is 30 minutes drive from the city of Newcastle, in the remarkable county of Northumberland which is steeped in history everywhere you look.

You’ll need a car to explore this area.

My Final Thoughts

Langley Castle gives you a fantastic opportunity to stay overnight in a medieval castle. The castle itself is imposing and truly remarkable to behold. The rooms are luxurious and comfortable and Langley Castle has done a great job of preserving the feel of a medieval castle, allowing you to feel like you have stepped foot into the 14th century but with all the modern comforts of the 21st.

Langley Castle Hotel is highly recommended. Unmissable for history buffs and anyone touring Northumberland, looking for a little luxury or something a bit different for a weekend away.

We recently visited Langley Castle as part of a month-long road trip around England, and Langley Castle was the best hotel we stayed in! To read more about our trip follow along with our trip reports here.